Archives for April 2012

Wed, April 11, 2012

A fire damaged a classroom, and forced the evacuation of a Ventura elementary school today. It happened just after noon, in a classroom at Elmhurst Elementary School, on the 5000 block of Elmhurst Street. Students had left the classroom, and were at lunch when the blaze erupted. The school was evacuated as a precaution, but Read the Rest…

Wed, April 11, 2012

A message about an evacuation involving a college campus in Ventura County apparently caused a lot of confusion today. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services says text, and reverse 9-1-1 messages went out to around 5700 hundred people on a Ventura County Community College District list around 11 a.m. It warned of a Read the Rest…

Wed, April 11, 2012

A noted Ventura County artist, and writer has died. Douglas Spalding was a teacher, and school administrator who became a painter, and sculptor. The Ventura man also wrote novels, and hosted writers group meetings in his home. Spalding died at his Ventura home. He was 82 years old. A community memorial service will be held Read the Rest…

Wed, April 11, 2012

A new study by a consultant shows that the already financially struggling Santa Barbara County Fire Department will need tens of million of dollars to build training facilities, and replace aging fire stations to maintain its level of service. At the same time, the consultants have helped the department improve its emergency response times with Read the Rest…

Wed, April 11, 2012

The Santa Barbara School District is using an early retirement offer to try to help close a six million dollar budget gap. KCLU’s John Palminteri reports that dozens are taking advantage of the incentive. Click on link to listen to/download story: Santa Barbara School District Early Retirement

Wed, April 11, 2012

The Department of Defense says the death of a Seabee home based at Naval Base Ventura County is under investigation, but wasn’t combat related. Trevor Stanley died on Saturday while deployed at a military base in Djibouti, Africa. The military hasn’t released specific information about the circumstances surrounding the 22 year old man’s death, other Read the Rest…

Wed, April 11, 2012

One of the longest serving public officials in Ventura County has announced his retirement. Simi Valley City Manager Mike Sedell says he will step down this summer, after 17 years on the job. He’s worked in public service for four decades. In a letter to the City Council, Sedell said that it has been an Read the Rest…

Wed, April 11, 2012

Ventura County Supervisors approved a proposal to try to save millions in pension money, by limiting ways some employees can use vacation, and sick pay to spike the formula used to calculate their retirement. The plan applies to new management, and non-union workers, which make up about 12 percent of the county’s workforce. After it’s Read the Rest…

Tue, April 10, 2012

After undergoing a storm of criticism over the handling of the removal of its last Superintendent/President, Santa Barbara City College is taking an unusually open approach to choosing a permanent successor. The College will host four community forums, so people can listen to each of the four finalists, and ask them questions. The first one Read the Rest…

Tue, April 10, 2012

A Ventura County based biotech giant has announced it’s buying a Bay Area based drugmaker, to get rights to an experimental treatment for kidney disease. Amgen says it’s purchasing KAI Pharmaceuticals for $315 million dollars in cash. The purchase gives Thousand Oaks based Amgen worldwide rights, with the exception of Japan, to KAI’s drug for Read the Rest…

Tue, April 10, 2012

A development company which wants to build a new resort at the site of the long shuttered Miramar Hotel in Santa Barbara County has taken some new steps to try to show it’s serious about the project. Caruso Affiliated says it’s paid off its loans for the Miramar property in Montecito in full, and that Read the Rest…

Tue, April 10, 2012

Homeless veterans in Santa Barbara County are going to get some helping in trying to get their lives back on track. KCLU’s Lance Orozco explains. Click on link to listen to/download story: Santa Barbara County Veterans Stand Down

Tue, April 10, 2012

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Department Bomb Squad had to be called out to help deal with a live explosive smoke grenade found in the motel room of a parolee. It happened just after 7 a.m. yesterday, on the 700 block of East Thompson Boulevard, in Ventura. Ventura Police doing a probation search of the motel Read the Rest…

Tue, April 10, 2012

Ventura County is one of many agencies in the state trying to cope with the mounting costs of employee pensions. Today, Ventura County Supervisors are set to consider a proposal from the County’s CEO which could potentiallu save millions of dollars a year. KCLU’s Lance Orozco looks at the proposal, which calls for changing the Read the Rest…

Mon, April 9, 2012

The Department of Defense says a Seabee home based at Naval Base Ventura County has died in Africa. Trevor Stanley died on Saturday while deployed at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. The military hasn’t released information about the circumstances surrounding the 22 year old man’s death. The Virginia Beach, Virginia construction worker was a member of Naval Read the Rest…

Mon, April 9, 2012

Authorities are trying to figure out why a Ventura woman went on a shooting spree in her home, leading to a “SWAT” team incident which last for seven hours. It started just before 4 p.m. yesterday, on the 7900 hundred block of Stone Street. Police say they responded to the scene after neighbors reported screaming, Read the Rest…

Mon, April 9, 2012

We had a sunny holiday weekend, but rain is on the way for Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties. The first in a pair of storms is expected to arrive tomorrow (Tuesday) afternoon, dropping between a third, and three quarters of an inch of rain on the coast, and inland valleys, and up to an inch Read the Rest…

Mon, April 9, 2012

The Santa Barbara International Film Festival has announced the dates for what will be its 28th annual filmfest. The 2013 festival will take place from January 24th through February 3rd of next year. This year’s festival honored a number of Academy Award winners, and nominees including Christopher Plummer, Octavia Spencer, and the director, and stars Read the Rest…

Mon, April 9, 2012

The economy remains sluggish in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties, and for low income families, especially the working poor, times are tough. Non-profit agencies which help feed these families say demand remains at record levels, while it’s harder than ever to get donations. It’s especially acute this time of year. Many people, and groups step Read the Rest…

Mon, April 9, 2012

Authorities concerned about the potential for a massive unsponsored beach party closed beaches in Isla Vista Saturday, but some residents and visitors moved the party into the community. Santa Barbara County officials were worried about the potential for a “Floatopia” event similar to one which happened in 2009, when social media spread word of a Read the Rest…

Mon, April 9, 2012

Investigators are trying to figure out what caused a fire which tore through a Montecito home. The blaze was reported at abou 9 p.m. Saturday, on the 400 block of Cota Lane. Flames were shooting out the roof of the building when firefighters reached the scene. There were people in the home when the blaze Read the Rest…

Mon, April 9, 2012

The Ventura County Community College District is looking at a number of new cuts, and restructuring moves to try to help close its multi-million dollar budget gap. Trustees this week are set to look at eliminating or modifying dozens of positions, in an effort to save some $3.5 million dollars in salaries and benefits. The Read the Rest…

Mon, April 9, 2012

Two Santa Barbara County teens are recovering from serious injuries after police say they were accidentally wounded by a man showing them a gun. It happened at around 10:30 yesterday morning, at a home on the 600 block of East Central in Santa Maria. Investigators say Mansa Williams was showing the teens a handgun when Read the Rest…

Fri, April 6, 2012

A local assemblyman is denying allegations that he posed as a union official to enter a Ventura County farm which has been hit be a labor dispute. A spokesman for Democratic Assemblyman Das Williams of Santa Barbara says Williams was asked to visit Montalvo Farms by constituents. Staff member James Joyce says Williams clearly identified Read the Rest…

Fri, April 6, 2012

A black bear made created a lot of excitement in Montecito today, wandering around some neighborhoods for much of the morning. The bear was seen in the Sycamore Canyon Road, and Cold Springs Road area on and off fro about three hours. The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department notified Cold Springs School of the sightings, Read the Rest…

Fri, April 6, 2012

Santa Barbara Police detectives serving a search warrant on the home of a suspected auto thief say they found a methamphetamine den, and rescued a 15-month old boy wearing only a dirty diaper. Investigators say the drug den was in a shed behind a home on the 500 block of Myrtle Avenue. They say there Read the Rest…

Fri, April 6, 2012

It’s not a red carpet, but a green carpet which will be greeting filmmakers, and fans at a film festival in Santa Barbara tonight. KCLU’S Lance Orozco explains its an event highlighting films about helping our environment, and living green. Click on link to listen to/download story: Santa Barbara Green Film Festival

Fri, April 6, 2012

A U.C. Santa Barbara researcher involved with the study of the planet Mercury says the first space probe to orbit the planet is providing us with important new information. Dr. Stanton Peale has been involved in key research about the mysterious planet, which hasn’t received the same scientific focus as some of the other planets Read the Rest…

Thu, April 5, 2012

Santa Barbara County authorities say a popular South Coast beach will be closed this weekend, to try to prevent a massive beach party from taking place. The Santa Barbara County Community Services Department says Isla Vista’s beaches will be closed on Saturday, because of the potential for a “Floatopia” event. In 2009, an unsponsored, unsanctioned Read the Rest…

Thu, April 5, 2012

A Kern County based oil, and gas exploration company has withdrawn its approved plans to do seismic testing in a remote area of eastern Santa Barbara County. E & B Natural Resources Management Company had been planning to bury, and explode dynamite on 23 square miles of agricultural land in the Cuyama Valley, to collect Read the Rest…

Thu, April 5, 2012

Detectives have identified a suspect in the burglaries of three Carpinteria burglaries, but say the 19 year old man is still at large. They think Robert Thornton of Carpinteria climbed onto the roofs of the Casitas Plaza businesses to break into each of them. The investigators say he then stole a number of items before Read the Rest…

Thu, April 5, 2012

A high school teacher in Ventura County got a huge surprise this morning, when she found out she was being honored with a $10,000 award for science teaching excellence. Newbury Park High School teacher Deborah Dogancay received the Amgen Award for Science Teaching Excellence during a surprise presentation at the school this morning. Amgen officials Read the Rest…

Thu, April 5, 2012

The United Way of Santa Barbara County is spearheading a massive event this weekend to help low, and middle income families with free tax preparation. More than a half dozen agencies and businesses, ranging from the IRS to Santa Barbara High School’s Dons Net Cafe are taking part in what’s being called “Mega Tax Day”. Read the Rest…

Thu, April 5, 2012

A Ventura man is behind bars this morning, after police say he led them on a chase in a stolen car, with speeds topping 110 miles an hour. An officer on patrol just after 11 yesterday morning spotted a stolen vehicle being driven near Harbor Boulevard, and Monmouth Drive. The officer tried to stop the Read the Rest…

Thu, April 5, 2012

Ventura firefighters, and the Ventura Harbor Patrol rescued a swimmer who underestimated how hard it would be for him to swim from shore to the end of the Ventura Pier and back. It happened just before 7:30 last night. Bystanders on the pier saw a man in the water yelling for help. They called 911. Read the Rest…

Thu, April 5, 2012

Hundreds of Ventura County community leaders, and residents turned out for a big party in Thousand Oaks Wednesday night, to welcome home a state assemblyman who’s just returned home from a year of active military duty in Afghanistan. KCLU’s Lance Orozco has the story. Click on link to listen to/download story: Assemblyman Jeff Gorrell Welcome Read the Rest…

Thu, April 5, 2012

It’s been a rough week for citrus growers on the South Coast. An incurable bacterial disease which kills citrus trees has surfaced for the first time in Southern California, and farmers in our region are worried it may spread to Ventura, and Santa Barbara Counties. KCLU’s Lance Orozco reports state and local agricultural officials, along Read the Rest…

Wed, April 4, 2012

Fire investigators are still trying to pinpoint the cause of a small fire which left a firefighter, and civilian with minor burns in Ventura County. It happened just before lunchtime yesterday, on the 500 block of Riverside Road, in Oak View. Ventura County firefighters arrived to find some outbuildings, and a garage on fire. They Read the Rest…

Wed, April 4, 2012

The kickoff to a nationally known playwright’s conference season in Ventura County is turning into one of the biggest star studded events in its history. Marcia Gay Harden, Megan Mullally, Steven Weber, and Noah Wyle are among the actors set to take part in the April 28th Ojai Playwrights Festival kickoff gala It will include Read the Rest…

Wed, April 4, 2012

A new study shows that Ventura, and Santa Barbara Counties continue to rank much higher than most of the state when it comes to public health. The Robert Wood Johnson-University of Wisconsin Population Institute report says Ventura County ranked 16th in the state in overall health outcomes, and Santa Barbara County 19th. Ventura County improved Read the Rest…

Wed, April 4, 2012

Residents of western Ventura say they don’t have enough parks, and are asking the city to create a new one on a chunk of land that’s come on the market. City officials say they like the idea, but with money tight, they don’t know how they’d pay for it. KCLU’s Lance Orozco reports the Ventura Read the Rest…

Wed, April 4, 2012

A Santa Barbara County based shoemaker is spearheading a campaign to collect thousands of pairs of shoes for those in need around the world. KCLU’s John Palminteri has the story. Click on link to listen to/download story: Shoe Donation Campaign

Wed, April 4, 2012

The new health care agency in Ventura County designed to provide managed Medi-Cal services for some 100,000 county residents has hired a new interim CEO. Cassie Undlin, a healthcare executive with more than 30 years of experience, has taken over interim leadership of the Gold Coast Health Plan. She’s been a CEO, Chief Financial Officer, Read the Rest…

Wed, April 4, 2012

U-C Santa Barbara, and a coalition of students have launched a campaign to try to get thousands of students to stop using disposable plastic bags. The UCSB Bookstore, UCSB Housing And Residential Services, and students distributed 3500 reusable bags to the campus community this week. Carpinteria recently passed an ordinance banning the use of single Read the Rest…

Wed, April 4, 2012

The commission which accredits community and junior colleges has reprimanded Santa Barbara City College for the role, and performance of its Board of Trustees in 2010, and 2011. The Accrediting Commission for Community, and Junior Colleges put SBCC on what it calls “Warning” status. The status means while the commission is concerned about the institution’s Read the Rest…

Wed, April 4, 2012

A South Coast community is getting a more than 900-thousand dollar state grant to help build a new neighborhood park. The City of Goleta received the money from the California State Parks Office of Grants, and Local Services for a new neighborhood park in Old Town Goleta. The City bought four acres of land near Read the Rest…

Tue, April 3, 2012

Santa Barbara City College trustees say they’ve narrowed the field to four finalists for the position of Superintendent/President, to fill the post created by the controversial removal of the college’s top official last year. All four of the finalists are presidents of community colleges in California. The list includes Dr. Lori Gaskin, the President of Read the Rest…

Tue, April 3, 2012

It was a spectacular sight, visible throughout much of our region this afternoon. A Delta Four rocket carrying a spy satellite lifted off from Vandenberg Air Force Base, in Santa Barbara County just after four p.m. The launch had originally been set for last week, but was delayed over technical issues. No problems were reported Read the Rest…

Tue, April 3, 2012

A gang fight in Santa Barbara led to a wild car chase, a traffic accident, and the arrest of three 18 year olds who tried to escape on foot. It started just before 10 last night, on the 1200 block of East Mason Street in Santa Barbara. Police responding to calls of a fight didn’t Read the Rest…

Tue, April 3, 2012

Caltrans has released its draft environmental impact report for planned new carpool lanes to reduce congestion on 101 Freeway between Santa Barbara, and Carpinteria. The EIR is for an 11 mile stretch of the 101 from just north of Salinas Street, in Santa Barbara to Bailard Avenue in Carpinteria. The report says Carpinteria and Santa Read the Rest…